After not pitching in the big leagues last season, the veteran right-hander is scheduled to start for the Texas Rangers on Monday against Seattle.

“I’m excited,” Lewis said. “It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long but it has been. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Lewis had his 2012 season cut short when he underwent surgery on a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. He tried to comeback last year, but never made it and eventually underwent hip resurfacing surgery in September.

Lewis will become the first baseball player to return from hip resurfacing surgery, although he brushed off the notion that it might be called ‘Colby Lewis Surgery’ one day.

“It’s already got a name, I don’t think it needs another,” Lewis said, smiling. “I feel there would be a multiple number of guys in here if they had the same type of surgery that they’d want to make a comeback. I just happen to be the first guy. I just want to go out there and perform and put my team in a spot to win and have a good time doing it.”

Monday is expected to mark the end of a 21-month process back for Lewis, assuming the Rangers game is not rained out Sunday.

For now, the plan is for Lewis, Robbie Ross and Yu Darvish to start the first three games of a four-game series against the Mariners at Globe Life Park.

Regardless if his start is pushed back another day, getting Lewis back in the rotation is a welcome sign for the Rangers.

Manager Ron Washington called Lewis “the grandfather of the pitching staff,” and believes Lewis’ presence and knowhow can rub off on young starters such as Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers.